Maryland residents on reality TV [Pictures]

CaptionDenise Whiting

Jed Kirschbaum, The Baltimore Sun

"Kitchen Nightmares" alum Denise Whiting owns Cafe Hon on West 36th Street. Whiting was met with recent criticism when her iconic restaurant trademarked the term "Hon," which she relinquished in November 2011. This unique public relations problem was addressed in Gordon Ramsey's assessment...

"Kitchen Nightmares" alum Denise Whiting owns Cafe Hon on West 36th Street. Whiting was met with recent criticism when her iconic restaurant trademarked the term "Hon," which she relinquished in November 2011. This unique public relations problem was addressed in Gordon Ramsey's assessment... (Jed Kirschbaum, The Baltimore Sun)

Spencer Horsman, a Baltimore magician and escape artist, appeared on "America's Got Talent" in 2012. The young performer showcased his talent in a daring escape routine where he maneuvered out of a straitjacket while suspended above a pair of gnashing metal jaws by a rope set aflame. The young...

Spencer Horsman, a Baltimore magician and escape artist, appeared on "America's Got Talent" in 2012. The young performer showcased his talent in a daring escape routine where he maneuvered out of a straitjacket while suspended above a pair of gnashing metal jaws by a rope set aflame. The young... (Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun)

Gymkana, a gymnastics and stunting group from University of Maryland, College Park, performed on the YouTube round of America's Got Talent. They made it to the semi-finals before one athlete in the group tangled with a ring of fire.

Gymkana, a gymnastics and stunting group from University of Maryland, College Park, performed on the YouTube round of America's Got Talent. They made it to the semi-finals before one athlete in the group tangled with a ring of fire. (Trae Patton, NBC)

Timothy Dean, a Prince George's County native, was the sixth contestant eliminated from Season 7 of Bravo's "Top Chef" show. *** Since his appearance on "Top Chef," Dean has seen his share of success and failure. In May 2010, Dean's T.D. Bistro Inc., filed for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation...

Timothy Dean, a Prince George's County native, was the sixth contestant eliminated from Season 7 of Bravo's "Top Chef" show. *** Since his appearance on "Top Chef," Dean has seen his share of success and failure. In May 2010, Dean's T.D. Bistro Inc., filed for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation... (Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun photo)

John Parot, who graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art in 1998, was among the contenders on Bravo's "Work of Art: The Next Great Artist.He was eliminated after the "shocking art" challenge for his "auto fellatio" painting.

John Parot, who graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art in 1998, was among the contenders on Bravo's "Work of Art: The Next Great Artist.He was eliminated after the "shocking art" challenge for his "auto fellatio" painting. (Handout)

Maryland might be a small state, but folks from here seem to crop up on reality television at an almost alarming rate. Chefs battle it out on "Top Chef," Baltimore School for the Arts graduates show up on "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Project Runway," and area singers try to win a record...